Major British Airways Loyalty Program Changes Are Now Here — What To Know

British Airways’ big changes to its loyalty program are finally here, including a rebranding from British Airways Executive Club to the more easily pronounceable British Airways Club.

These major changes also impact how travelers can obtain elite status

Let’s look at the details of this news.

British Airways Overhauls Loyalty Program

Starting today, April 1, 2025, the British Airways Executive Club has been rebranded to a new, easier-to-remember name: British Airways Club. In addition to the new name, the airline is completely overhauling how British Airways flyers can earn elite status through its loyalty program.

Adopting a Completely Revenue-Based Earning Model, New Tier Thresholds

Before these changes officially took place, British Airways Executive Club status could be attained by accumulating Tier Points. The number of Tier Points earned was determined by both the duration of the flight and the fare class booked for travel.

The newly modified program introduces a system in which members can earn 1 Tier Point for every £1 (roughly $1.29) of eligible spending. Additionally, the status qualification requirements have significantly changed, as the number of Tier Points needed to maintain or achieve British Airways Club elite status has increased.

Here are the British Airways Club’s 4 elite status tiers and how the requirements have changed:

Although reaching elite status with British Airways will be harder now, travelers can earn Tier Points in more ways, including spending on co-branded credit cards and paying for additional services, such as seat selection and extra baggage.

Earn Elite Status Through Spending

The newly revamped British Airways Club program is revenue-driven, with qualifying spending serving as the primary means for travelers to achieve elite status. This is consistent with the current trend in the airline industry, which encourages customers to spend with the airline — such as paying for seat assignments and excess baggage or spending on the airline’s co-branded credit card — rather than simply flying.

Furthermore, members can earn up to 1,000 Tier Points per year for contributing to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a rate of 1 Tier Point and 10 Avios for every £1 spent on these purchases.

Members of the U.K.-based program can also earn an unlimited number of Tier Points by buying British Airways Holidays vacation packages at a rate of 1 Tier Point for £1 spent (roughly $1.29).

Later this year, members will be able to earn Tier Points on credit card purchases. Unfortunately, no U.S. cardholders with the British Airways Visa Signature^® Card will be eligible, as card spending for Tier Points will only apply to those with the British Airways American Express^® Premium Plus Card. However, it is unclear what the earnings rates will be.

Finally, the airline plans to provide new milestone benefits between tiers. Members will receive rewards when they hit various status levels, including 2,500, 4,000, and 5,000 bonus Avios. We expect to know more details about these milestone benefits in the coming months.

How Does This Affect British Airways Partner Bookings?

If you’re flying with a Oneworld partner airline and would like to credit your flight to the revamped British Airways Club program, members will earn Tier Points as a percentage of the distance flown, depending on the fare class, as outlined below:

For anyone who books travel going forward, you’ll be awarded Tier Points based on a conversion of the current method. British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, mentioned that “any existing bookings will earn proportionally the same number of Tier Points, or more, as they would today.”

Final Thoughts

We knew this day was coming, and now it has arrived.

British Airways has revamped its loyalty program to encourage higher customer spending to earn elite status, rewards, and perks. That said, customers will now have more ways to earn elite status with British Airways, such as through credit card spending and spending on ancillary things like seat assignments and baggage fees.

On a positive note, the carrier has also renamed its loyalty program from British Airways Executive Club to British Airways Club, which is a welcome move. However, the increased spending required to achieve a higher elite status is a significant drawback, making these British Airways Club program changes a mixed bag for BA travelers.